Find Out Why The ‘Swollen Bladderwort’ is Taking Over Maine’s Lakes

The Swollen Bladderwort, sounds like a medieval illness doesn’t it? Have you heard of it?

Me neither, until now and apparently it’s attacking Maine’s lakes and ponds.

It’s not just rude, it’s carnivorous, yep, this little green brat doesn’t just float around looking all cute. It uses it’s small underwater “bladders” (gross) to suck in unsuspecting water bugs.  

Think Venus flytrap, but sneakier, and underwater. And it's taking over the state now confirmed in eight bodies of water mostly in the southern and wester parts of Maine. It's spreading so fast, according to Portland Press Herald. 

Swollen Bladderwort Is Invading Maine’s Lakes—And It’s Not as Funny as It Sounds

The plant is making it almost impossible for swimmers, boaters, and kayakers to navigate through the waters where it's taken up residence, as per the article.

Even though swollen bladderwort is fun to say, it is terrible, and takes up so much space, suffocates the good guys like the native plants and makes life miserable for everything else.

The video below from Animalogic explains in detail everything you need to know about the Swollen Bladderwort via YouTube. 

It’s not a native plant to Maine and it can clog waterways, disrupt fish habitats and make swimming feel like you are gliding through a sea of green spaghetti. Not cool.  

So, the question is, what do you do?

Clean your boats, kayaks, and water gear deeply. You don’t want to be that person that gives the swollen bladderwort a free ride to another part of the lake.

And if you see a huge mass of the swollen bladderwort, you can report it to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.